Chali Point off Srinagar’s Dal Lake gets a facelift

SRINAGAR - With the aim to attract more tourists, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are busy renovating Chali point, a parking lot adjacent to the famous Dal Lake.

Chali point is famous among locals and tourists for its numerous outlets that sell roasted corn.

Earlier, people visiting Dal Lake for rides on the shikara (Kashmiri style gondola) used to park their vehicles at Chali point. However, with the increase in the number of the visitors, the area became insufficient.

Keeping in mind the potential of the place, the Lake and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has taken the initiative to make the area more attractive.

The place, consisting of beautiful landscapes and an artificial waterfall would also have a coffee shop on the premises.

The work on the project is underway and authorities say that it will be open for visitors within the next two months.

“To further develop and make the area more attractive, we are developing a park out here. In this park, we are making four resting points so that tourists can come here and enjoy the corn. Apart from that, we are even making a coffee house,” said Feroz Ahmad, Assistant Executive Engineer, LAWDA.

The renovation of Chali Point would also help the owners of shikaras attract customers.

“Earlier, the park used to be full of litter, but now it is pretty. Our benefit is that when people come to visit the park, they will come and take a ride in our boats,” said Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din, a shikara-owner.

Locals say that the initiative will boost tourism.

“Not just locals, even tourists will benefit from this. They (tourists) can come and enjoy at the park. Moreover, all this will particularly help tourism, which is the lifeline of Kashmir,” said Zahoor Ahmad.

The Lake and Waterways Development Authority is making a park on half an acre of land at the cost of Rs 2.6 million rupees.he name of the park has also been changed from Chali Point to Makai Point to indicate that corn is sold there.

Everyday, about 500 people visit the place, including locals and tourists during the corn season that starts from next month. (ANI)